When you do open it, take a look at the cork. If it has split, shrunk, has a line or leak running up the side of it, or is visibly moldy then consider the wine effed.

If the cork looks ok then smell the cork, if it smells musty or kinda like wet cardboard then the wine could possibly be affected by cork taint. That's TCA, technically. This is the main reason why most Aussie wines are bottled under screwcap these days - to avoid TCA contamination (which comes from the cork). There are various statistics but most agree that about two bottles in every dozen were affected by cork taint when we were using cork. In the worse case, cork taint is very obvious as the afore mentioned musty, damp character on the nose and palate. In milder examples it can be difficult to detect, it can just deaden the fruit and make a wine look flat and dull. But having said all this, having a wine under cork (ie your bottle of sparkling) doesn't automatically mean it will be off. The only way to find out is to open it!

White wine can age very well, depending on variety and style. For example aged Riesling and Chardonnay can be superb, complex, interesting wines. Ive had sme amazing aged Hunter Semillion. On the other hand, a Sauv Blanc should be enjoyed within about two-three years of its vintage (it just won't look it's best, it won't make you sick or anything!). Sparkling wines can also be fantastic with a few years in bottle.

Another option is to call the winery it was made at and ask the winemaker. If he/she is not out drinking beer I'm sure they would be able to help you, they might even be quite interested to see how the wine is drinking themselves.

I’m not expecting you to be as calm as you might be right now. What I mean is that if your panic levels are through the roof during a stressful situation, let’s bring them down to just under the ceiling.

To celebrate the April 1 release of Holly's Magic Wand on DVD and Digital, we are giving away five DVD packs featuring the newest installment of Ben & Holly's Little Kingdom Holly's Magic Wand and many more hours of family entertainment! Enter Now!

To celebrate the April 1 release of Holly's Magic Wand on DVD and Digital, Essential Baby and Entertainment One are giving away five bumper DVD packs featuring the newest installment of Ben & Holly's Little Kingdom Holly's Magic Wand and many more hours of family entertainment! Enter Now!

When a couple discovers they're expecting multiples, the dad can sometimes be almost forgotten in all the excitement and preparation. But one group offers a space just for dads of twins and higher-order multiples.

Pregnant women will for the first time have access to locally analysed, accurate, non-invasive pre-natal genetic testing when the first Australian clinic to offer the services opens its doors next week.

Not a day under 65 and a lifetime of struggle! That's the look of these newborns, who look adorably older than their real age. Social networking site Reddit recently featured user submissions of adorable grandbabies, here are our favourites.

A French court may have ruled out Nutella as a baby name, but that doesn't have to stop you from taking inspiration from the supermarket (or bottle shop). See what parents in the US have chosen for their delicious little ones.